A Special Christmas Moment 

I was about ten years old when I walked the aisle of my church ---Mt. Herman Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio ---singing "O Holy Night." This Christmas moment was to be a life-changing experience for me. 

I was dressed in a white robe, wore no shoes, had curly ponytails with white ribbons, and held a small microphone. I remember standing behind the closed doors of the sanctuary waiting for my cue to enter. I was so nervous, but I desperately wanted to share my love for Jesus with the congregation. 

 
Suddenly I heard the music begin to the familiar tune  that tells the story of that holy night when Jesus was born.  The doors swung open, and I gingerly walked in to the beat of the music.

Halfway down the aisle, I paused and began to sing the first verse.  The "oohs" and "ahs" from the congregation  revealed their pleasure and approval of my rendition  and displayed the effect it was having on their hearts. 
 
Then something completely unexpected happened.  I felt myself leaving the sanctuary of our church!  Suddenly I was transported back to that holy night when Jesus was born.  I heard angels singing and I saw the manger.  And in the manger, there was the baby Jesus! 

My knees buckled and I felt myself slowly slumping to the floor in awe of this holy child.  I could hear the words of the song's chorus flowing from my lips as I sang,  "Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angels voices, O' night divine."  I was overwhelmed by this awesome moment  as the reality of Christmas flooded my being.  I sang my best for this child, who was my Lord and King. 

 
Years later I returned to Cleveland to visit some relatives.  I ran into a few ladies who were at the Christmas service that night.  On seeing me,  they began to reminisce with excitement about my performance. 

 
One dear saint turned to her friends and said,  "I'll never forget the Christmas when this child sang 'O Holy Night.'  When she fell to her knees and worshiped the King,  I tell you, there wasn't a dry eye in the place."

I'm forty-something now, and today I still give my best for Him.  He's still my Savior and King.  But I'll never forget that special Christmas service  when I actually knelt before Him and sang in His very presence. 

Madeline Manning Mims

Named one of America's Outstanding Young Women, 
Dr. Madeline Manning Mims is the only American woman 
to win an Olympic gold medal in track for the 800-meter run. [as of 2008]